Chapter 7

"This meeting is over. If you'll excuse us, I'd like to spend some time alone with my mate."

His tone was final.

The elders rose together, bowed to us both, and filed out of the study.

Jerry lingered, flashing a relieved smile before bowing.

"Alpha. Luna."

"I'll inform you once anything else arises."

He left, shutting the door almost without a sound.

I turned to Axel. "Are you alright, my love?"

"I am now." A tired smile crossed his face.

He slipped his arms around my waist and pulled me against him.

I rested my hands against his chest.

He let out a slow breath before speaking.

"The elders tried to convince me to choose Hazel."

I blinked.

"They said it would be the smartest decision for the pack."

His jaw tightened as he continued.

"Green Woods Pack is our largest trading partner. They buy more of Blue Crystal's seeds and nuts than any other territory. A marriage alliance would guarantee those trade agreements for generations."

I listened without voice.

"They’re even negotiating to transfer the lands bordering Blue Crystal to us as part of the alliance."

I stared at him in disbelief.

"So..."

"They believe because I haven't marked you yet, it isn't too late to abandon our mate bond and marry Hazel instead."

My heart sank.

"They actually said that?"

He nodded once.

"They claimed it would benefit the entire pack."

"And what did you say?"

His eyes locked onto mine.

"I told them there would never be another Luna while you're alive."

My throat tightened with emotion at his words.

"I've been putting you under so much pressure..."

"You've done no such thing."

He brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"The pressure came from people who ignore that you're my mate."

His gaze softened.

"And that isn't something I'll ever negotiate."

With that, he captured my lips in a fierce kiss. I met his pace with pleasure.

We were five minutes into the moment when he pulled back, resting his forehead against mine.

His brilliant blue eyes searched mine with unwavering affection.

"Don't waste your thoughts on those old men," he murmured.

"Let them worry about politics."

His thumb traced my cheek.

"You..." A faint smile curved his lips.

"...just worry about us."

Axel's words wrapped around my heart like a warm embrace. Every trace of anxiety escaped.

Lifting my night garment, he locked my gaze as his fingers wandered with purpose, from my thighs upwards.

Until that moment, the closest Axel and I had ever been was a lingering hug or a stolen kiss.

This was different.

Every brush of his fingers against my skin sent shivers racing through me. My heart pounded so hard I was certain he could hear it.

I could feel his emotions intertwining with mine through the mate bond. The longing I felt wasn't mine alone.

It was ours.

Everything else around me slowly faded away. I barely noticed when he carried me into the bedroom.

The next thing I knew, I was undressed, lying on the bed with eyes locked on his.

Every touch was impossibly gentle, as though he was afraid I'd break if he held me too tightly.

I threaded my fingers through his raven-black hair, breathing his name in a whisper as he traced kisses on my hard nipples.

He looked at me with so much tenderness that my chest ached.

Sinful sounds escaped my lips as his fingers found the sweet spot between my legs. It felt too good that I spread my thighs wider as he pleasured me with a rhythm that felt like torture.

Then he stopped. The absence of the warmth his fingers brought made me frown.

I sat up to find Axel taking off the black trousers he had on, revealing a sky blue boxer that did little in holding back the bulging rod between his legs.

Embarrassed, I covered my hands with my palms.

“I won't force you if you don't want to”

My reaction must have passed the wrong message to him.

“No, I…I want you.” I lowered my head, as my fingers fumbled with the white bed sheets. "... I’ve not done this before."

His expression softened at my confession.

Without hurry, he took down his last piece of clothing revealing his giant almost brown cock.

My jaw dropped as I swallowed my saliva.

“Follow my lead"

I nodded as he came closer to my entrance.

I could feel how carefully he was holding himself back, giving me every opportunity to change my mind.

Inching closer, I reached for him

I wanted him to know there was nowhere else I'd rather be.

The pleasure was bitter at first, but Axel didn't rush me. He stayed patient, spraying gentle kisses on me till the pain faded.

Sensual delight travelled down every nerve in my body, it felt like a trip to the clouds.

ln that moment, all I could think about was him. The way he looked at me, his touch was like I were the most precious person in his world.

His lips brushed my ear, and his voice dropped to a whisper.

"Will you be mine... forever?"

My heart skipped as I smiled through the happy tears in my eyes.

"Yes," I whispered. "I'm yours... and yours alone."

A deep, satisfied growl rumbled in his chest.

I felt a brief sting at the side of my neck, followed almost immediately by a warm tingling sensation.

Axel pulled back just enough to look at me.

"From this moment on," his tone laced with sincerity, he brushed a kiss against my forehead, "no one will ever question that you're my mate."

His blue eyes searched mine with concern.

"Does it hurt?"

With care, I touched the spot on my neck.

"No..." I smiled.

"It doesn't really hurt. It just feels... sensitive."

My fingertips brushed over the area again. I felt a warmth that somehow made me feel closer to him than ever before.

"Would you like to see it?"

I nodded with eagerness.

"Come with me."

He climbed off the bed and held out his hand.

I laughed as he helped me up, holding me as though I were made of glass.

The moment I tried taking a step, the soreness between my legs made me wince. I couldn't pretend I was fine.

Axel rushed beside me, steadying me with one arm. Through the mate bond, he'd felt exactly what I had.

So many embarrassing thoughts ran through my head.

Axel chuckled as he broke the news.

"Our mindlink has been activated."

He could hear all I thought now, whenever he wanted, whether I meant to share it or not. I narrowed my eyes at him, trying and failing to look annoyed.

"That doesn't give you permission to wander into my thoughts uninvited."

His laughter filled the room.

"I'll try to behave."

Axel guided me toward the full-length mirror. Staring at my reflection, my eyes travelled straight to my neck.

There it was, his mark.

It was elegant, almost glowing against my skin, a curved mark like a crescent drawn in a single, sweeping stroke.

I reached up and traced it with trembling fingers. I belonged to him. And he belonged to me.

Axel wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his chin lightly on my shoulder.

"Our lawyer sent word."

I looked at him through the mirror.

"What did he say?"

"He met with tomorrow's witness."

My curiosity grew to the sky.

"And?"

Axel's lips curved into a knowing smile.

"He learned something interesting about Hazel."

I turned slightly to meet his sparkling eyes.

"The witness..."

He held my gaze.

"...is Hazel's mate.”

A slow smile crept onto my lips.

This time, I couldn't wait to walk into that courtroom.